Aerial cable spacer insulator

ABSTRACT

A cable spacer includes first and second angle arms each having a cable engaging end at one end and a flat tab portion at an opposite end having a connecting tab and an aperture to connect the arms to each other. An insulator extends between and connects the angle arms at their respective connecting tabs. The insulator has a non-conductive core. The angle arms and insulator mounted to each other define a spacer plane. A bottom arm is mounted to and depends from insulator. The bottom arm is mounted to the insulator to sway into and out of the spacer plane. A clamp secures the cable spacer to a messenger and includes upper and lower clamp portions. The upper clamp portion mounts to the messenger and the lower clamp portion mounts to cable spacer angle arms. The lower clamp portion is rotatable relative to the upper clamp portion.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a system for supporting and spacinghigh voltage aerial cables from a support cable or messenger cable, andmore particularly, high voltage aerial covered cables.

Electric power transmission and distribution commonly relies upon cablesstrung overhead. Some of these cables are bare conductors, other cablesare covered, that is a conductor having a covering, such as a highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) covering. Overhead cables are oftensuspended from support cables or messenger cables (referred to herein asmessenger or messengers) that are typically made of high strengthalloys. The messengers are supported on poles or towers. Cable spacers,which also serve as insulators, are arranged at spaced intervals alongthe messenger and support the cables.

Often, a single spacer is used to support three cables in a three-phasesystem, simultaneously maintaining spaced relation between each ofcables. Typically, spacers are attached to the messenger and to thecables in order to save space and to maintain appropriate distancesbetween suspended cables.

One known spacer system, such as that disclosed in Bello et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,700,980, discloses an aerial cable spacer and support that isfabricated from separate arm members and braces. The arms and braces arejoined to form an open frame structure that is hung from a messengerwire. Fins formed on and at acute angles to the arms and braces increasethe leakage distance between cable phases and with ground.

Another known spacer system, such as that disclosed in Talabathula etal., U.S. Pat. No. 10,218,162 for supporting and spacing aerial cablesof high voltage of 69 kV or above, includes a top piece configured toengage the messenger, first, second, and third arms, each having endsconnected to the top piece and a cable fastening system located atopposite ends of each of the first, second, and third arms.

While known systems solved early problems associated with supportinghigh voltage AC cables from a single spacer so as to provide sufficientspace between the cables, these systems may not provide optimum degreesof freedom of movement of the spacer system to accommodate sway andmovement of the cables with high winds, and wind loading.

Accordingly, there is a need for a high voltage aerial cable spacerinsulator. Desirably, such a spacer can support cables with sufficientlyhigh degrees of freedom of movement to accommodate sway and movement ofthe cables with high winds, ice loading, and inadvertent contact. Moredesirably still, such a spacer can also accommodate other, non-powertransmission cables, such as a fiber optic cable, in a configurationsuch that there is no interference between the power cables and thenon-power transmission cable.

SUMMARY

An aerial cable spacer insulator supports cables with sufficiently highdegrees of freedom of movement to accommodate sway and movement of thecables with high winds, ice loading, and inadvertent contact situations.Embodiments can also accommodate other, non-power transmission cables,such as a fiber optic cable, in a configuration such that there is nointerference between the power cables and the non-power transmissioncable. For purposes of the present disclosure, reference to cable orcables is to an aerial covered cable or cables and reference tomessenger is to messenger cable.

In embodiments, the aerial cable spacer insulator includes first andsecond angle arms, each having a cable engaging end at a first end and aflat tab portion at a second end. The first ends include a connectingtab. The flat tabs each include an aperture to accommodate a connectingelement to connect the first and second arms to each other.

An insulator extends between and connects the angle arms. The insulatormounts to the angle arms at their respective connecting tabs. Theinsulator has a core formed from a non-conductive material, such asfiberglass. The angle arms and the insulator mount to each other todefine a spacer plane.

A bottom arm is mounted to and depends or suspends from the insulator.The bottom arm is mounted to the insulator to sway into and out of thespacer plane.

In an embodiment, the angle arm connecting tabs extend generallytransverse to a longitudinal axis of its respective angle arm. Theconnecting tabs can include strengthen ribs extending along theconnecting tabs.

The flat tabs can include bushings positioned in their respectiveapertures. The bushings can include bearing faces that face one anotherand can include an anti-rotational feature.

In embodiments, the angle arms, bottom arm and insulator can includefins disposed generally therearound.

A messenger clamp can be mounted to the angle arms at about the flattabs. In embodiments, the messenger clamp includes an upper clampportion and a lower clamp portion. The upper clamp portion is mounts toa messenger cable and the lower clamp portion mounts to the cable spacerangle arms. In embodiments, the lower clamp portion is rotatablerelative to the upper clamp portion.

The upper clamp portion can include a receiver and the lower clampportion can include a connecting portion that cooperates with thereceiver. The connection portion is rotatable within the receiver.

The receiver can include a pair of opposing side walls that have alignedopenings for receiving a locking element, such as a locking pin, tosecure the connecting portion in the receiver. The receiver includes abottom wall having slotted opening extending partially into the bottomwall. Cooperating with the bottom wall slotted opening, the connectingportion includes a head and a neck, such that the head is positioned inthe receiver and the neck extends through the slotted opening.

In embodiments, the lower clamp portion includes a clevis having a pairof opposing side walls having aligned openings for receiving a fastenerfor securing the lower clamp portion to the angle arm bushings.

In embodiments, the clamp can include a secondary clamp elementside-mounted to the upper clamp portion. The secondary clamp element canbe positioned on the upper clamp portion, and can be configured tosecure, for example, a fiber optic cable.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The benefits and advantages of the present embodiments will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art afterreviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an embodiment of an aerial cablespacer insulator;

FIG. 2A is a front view of an embodiment of a messenger clamp;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the upper portion of the messenger clamp asviewed from the left-hand side of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a partial sectional view of the messenger clamp taken alongline 2C-2C in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a front or rear view of an embodiment of an angle arm;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged, partial sectional view of the clamp mountingportion of the angle arm and showing a bushing in the clamp mountingportion;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the clamp mounting portion of the angle arm,and illustrating an anti-rotation feature of the bushing;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of a center insulator;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example of a central support member of thecentral insulator, the support member being rotated 90 degrees from theview of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a front or rear view of an embodiment of a bottom arm;

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A with the front of the upper clampmember removed for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 7C is an enlarged, partial view of the upper clamp member of FIG.7B;

FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a spacer;

FIG. 9 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a spacer; and

FIG. 10 is a front view of still another embodiment of a spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered an exemplification and is not intended tolimit the disclosure to the specific embodiment illustrated.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an aerial cable spacer insulator 10(referred to as “spacer”) and messenger clamp 12 for supporting thespacer 10 from a messenger. The illustrated spacer 10 and clamp 12provide higher strength members and additional degrees of freedom ofmovement over known spacer and clamp arrangements.

The spacer 10 includes, generally, a pair of angle arms 14, centralinsulator 16 and a bottom arm 18. In an embodiment, the angle arms 14can be identical or mirror images of each other and, along with thecentral insulator 16, form an isosceles triangle. The bottom arm 18 ismounted to, and extends downwardly from, the central insulator 16 aswill be described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4A-4B, the angle arms 14 are formed having acentral, relatively flat central portion 20 flanked by transverseflanges 22 that extend equally to both sides of the central portion 20giving the angle arms 14 an I-beam cross-section. At a first end 24 ofthe arms 14 the flanges 22 merge into a flat tab 26 which has anaperture 28 therethrough as best seen in FIG. 4A. A cable hook 30 isformed at a second end 32 of each arm 14. The cable hook 30 has a roundbottom cable saddle or seat 34. A retaining member 36 is pivotallymounted to the arm 14, at about the saddle 34 and pivots between an openstate in which a cable can be positioned in and removed from the hook30, and a closed state in which the retaining member 36 is pivoted overthe open portion of the saddle 34 to secure the cable in place in thehook 30.

A connecting tab 38 is positioned adjacent the cable hook 30, generallyon a side of the arm 14 opposite the hook 30. The tab 38 extendsgenerally transverse to a longitudinal axis A₁₄ of the arm 14 and can bereinforced, such as by the inclusion of ribs 40 along the tab 38. Anopening or bore 42 is formed in the tab 38 for mounting of the centralinsulator 16 as will be discussed in detail below.

The resistance to the flow of changing current in the cable with itsattendant faulting of the cable is a function both of the effectivelength of and the resistivity of the spacer 10 surface. The effectivespacer length is the length of the spacer surface in the leakage pathbetween cables. The resistivity of the spacer 10 in that path, under allweather operating conditions, is dependent upon the accumulation of dustand other contaminants on and also the wetting of the spacer surface.

To increase the effective length of the path between the cables andbetween the cables and the grounded messenger, a series of fins 44 isplaced about each of the arms 14. The fins 44 can be molded completelyabout the periphery of each of the arms 14. The outer edges 46 of thefins 44 can form a rectangle. The edges 46 of the fins 44 can be roundedand the fins 44 set at an angle α to the longitudinal axis A₁₄ of thearm 14 on which they are molded. Some of the fins 44 may be formed aspartial fins.

In this manner, the leakage path along the arm 14 from a cable in thesaddle 34 of the hook 30 will then be along the surface of the arm 14and over each of the fins 44 to the grounded messenger in the messengerclamp 12. In embodiments, the arms 14 and fins 44 are formed having arelatively smooth surface to minimize the accumulation of dirt, moistureand other materials on these surfaces and to facilitate removal of thesematerials by wind or washing away by rain.

As noted above, the flanges 22 at the first end 24 of the arms 14 mergeinto a flat tab 26 having an aperture 28. Referring to FIG. 1, it can beseen that the flat tabs 26 of the angle arms 14 meet at an apex 48 withthe flat surfaces of each tab 26 abutting each other. In thisarrangement, the apertures 28 align with one another.

To allow the spacer 10 to move or sway in the direction parallel to thecables, a bushing 50 is positioned in and traverses through each of theapertures 48. In an embodiment each bushing 50 has a bearing face 52with the bearing faces 52 of the arms 14 facing each other. The bushings50 can be formed from a wide variety of materials, such as a metal, suchas stainless steel, galvanized steel, chrome, nickel plated steel andother materials suitable for outdoor use and environments, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. As will be discussed in moredetail below, a pin, such as a bolt 54, is positioned through theapertures/bushings 28/50 to secure the angle arms 14 to each other andto the messenger clamp 12. The metal bushings 50 will increase the lifeand durability of the connection between the spacer 10 and the clamp 12as there is metal-to-metal contact between the bolt 54 and the bushings50. In an embodiment, the bushings 50 are fixed within the apertures 28to minimize movement between the bushings 50 and the angle arms 14. Thebushings 50 can be fixed by a flat portion 56 on a periphery of thebushing 50 that is fitted onto a flat portion 58 in the aperture 28.

The bottom arm 18 is formed in much the same manner as the angle arms14, having a central, relatively flat central portion 20 flanked bytransverse flanges 22 that extend equally to both sides of the centralportion 20 giving the bottom arm 18 an I-beam cross-section. Unlike theangle arms 14, the bottom arm 18 has a tab 60 formed at a first end 62that has a receiving portion 64 with a semi-circular channel 66. Arecess 68 is formed in the channel 66 having a larger diameter than thechannel 66. A clamp element 70 forms a complement to the receivingportion 64 having a semi-circular channel 72 and a recess 74 with adiameter larger than that of the channel 72. The tab 60 and clampelement 70 are secured to one another such that the semi-circularchannels 66, 72 cooperate to form a circular through channel. Fasteners,such as bolts 76 can be used to removably secure the clamp element 70 tothe tab 60.

A second end 78 of the bottom arm 18 is formed having a cable hook 80and retaining member 82 similar to that of the angle arms 14 to allowfor a cable to be positioned and secured in, and removed from the hook80. As with the angle arms 14, the bottom arm the retaining member 82 ispivoted over the open portion of the saddle 84 to secure the cable inplace in the hook 80 and pivoted out of the way to install the cable in,or remove the cable from the hook 80. In an embodiment, a lowerlongitudinal portion 86 of the bottom arm 18 (that portion nearer thehook 80) can be formed having narrower width than an upper longitudinalportion 88 (that portion nearer the tab 60).

As can be seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the bottom arm 18 is formed having aseries of fins 90 placed about the arm 18 that can be molded completelyabout the periphery of the arm 18. The outer edges 92 of the fins 90 canform a rectangle and the edges 92 can be rounded, with the fins 92 setat an angle β to the longitudinal axis A₁₈ of the arm 18. Some of thefins 92 may be formed as partial fins. The arm 18 and fins 92 are formedhaving a relatively smooth surface to minimize the accumulation of dirt,moisture and other materials on these surfaces and to facilitate removalof these materials by wind or washing away by rain.

The central insulator 16 extends between and joins the angle arms 14 toone another at their respective second ends 32 to, as noted above, in anembodiment, form an isosceles triangle.

The central insulator 16 includes a core rod 94 formed from anon-conductive material such as fiberglass or a fiberglass-basedmaterial. Other suitable materials will be recognized by those skilledin the art. Clamping members 96 are mounted to each end of the rod 94for mounting the central insulator 16 to the angle arms 14. In anembodiment, the clamping members 96 are devises or U-shaped members thathave legs 98 that secure either side of the central insulator 16 to arespective angle arm 14. The legs 98 can have a bore 100 through which afastener 102, such as a bolt is inserted, which fasteners 102 insertthrough the angle arm connecting tab 38, to secure the clamping members96 to the angle arms 14.

An insulative material 104 is positioned over the core rod 94. In anembodiment the insulative material 104 is formed from a thermoplastic orthermoset materials that are ultraviolet (UV) stabilized for outdooruse. Other suitable materials will be recognized by those skilled in theart. In an embodiment, the insulative material 104 is formed with fins106 extending transverse to the longitudinal axis A₁₆ of the insulator16 and generally extend fully around the insulator 16.

A centrally located, circumferentially extending ring-like projection108 is formed around the insulator 16. The projection 108 is configuredto cooperate with the recesses 68, 74 formed in the channel 66, 72formed by the bottom arm tab 60 and the clamping element 70. Theinsulative material 104 can also be used to confine the bottom leg 18.The projection 108 and recesses 68, 74 are configured and sized tosecure the bottom arm 18 in place longitudinally along the centralinsulator 16, but also to allow the bottom arm 18 to sway or pivot aboutthe insulator 16 in the direction of travel of the cable. Viewed anotherway, the angle arms 14 and insulator 16 are joined to each other todefine a spacer plane P₁₀ and the bottom arm 18 is mounted to theinsulator 16 to sway into and out of the spacer plane P₁₀.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C, the messenger clamp 12 includes an upperclamp portion 110 that is secured to the messenger cable and a lowerclamp portion 112 operably mounted to the upper clamp portion 110. Thelower clamp portion 112 includes a clevis 114 to which the spacer 10 ismounted.

The upper clamp portion 110 secures to the messenger by a clamp 116 thatincludes a stationary jaw 118 and a movable jaw 120. The stationary jaw118 includes a body 122 having an arcuate surface 124 to receive themessenger cable. A central bore 126 is formed in the body 122, in whicha mating portion of the movable jaw 120 is fitted. The movable jaw 120has a clamping surface 128 that cooperates with the arcuate surface 124to secure the messenger cable therebetween. An internally threadedportion 132 of the movable jaw 120 is positioned in the central bore126. A threaded element 130, such as a bolt extends into the body 122and the internally threaded portion 132 of the movable jaw 120 to drawthe movable jaw 120 toward the stationary jaw 118 to secure themessenger cable, and to move the movable jaw portion away from thestationary jaw 118 to allow for installing or removing the clamp 12 fromthe messenger cable.

The upper clamp portion 110 includes a receiver 134 for receiving thelower clamp portion 112. In an embodiment, the receiver 134 has upper136, side 138 and lower 140 walls that define an opening 142. A slottedopening 144 is formed in the lower wall 140. Bores 146 are formed in theside walls 138 to receive a pin 148, such as the illustrated cotter pin.

The lower clamp portion 112 has a connecting portion 150 having a head152, a neck 154 extending downwardly from the head 152 and the clevis114 extending downwardly from the neck 154. The clevis 114 is configuredto receive and secure the angle arms 14 with the flat tabs 26 of theangle arms 14 positioned in an open end 158 of the clevis 114 and by thepin or fastener 54, such as he illustrated bolt inserted through theclevis openings and the bushings 50. A preferred fastener 54 includes asmooth shank to facilitate ease of movement of the angle arms 14 aboutthe fastener 54.

The head 152 and neck 154 are configured to cooperate with the upperclamp portion receiver 134 such that the head 152 and neck 154 can bepositioned in the receiver 134 when the head 152 is elevated from thereceiver lower wall 140, but when the head 152 is lowered onto the lowerwall 140, the lower clamp portion 112 cannot be removed from thereceiver 134. In an embodiment, a lower portion 162 of the neck 154 hasa smaller diameter than an upper portion 164 of the neck 154. Theslotted opening 144 in the receiver lower wall 140 is sized to allow thelower neck portion 162 to move through the slot 144, but the upper neckportion 164 (which has a larger diameter) is prevented from movingthrough the slot 144. In this manner when the head 152 is positioned inthe receiver slot 144, it cannot be removed without lifting the head 152from the receiver lower wall 140. For example, when there is a weight onthe lower clamp portion 112 (such as by the spacer 10), under normalloading, the lower clamp portion 112 is maintained in the upper clampportion 110.

To prevent the lower clamp portion 112 from inadvertently disengagingfrom the upper clamp portion 110, the locking element 148, such as theillustrated cotter pin, inserted through the clevis side wall bores 146openings, prevents the head 152 from lifting sufficiently from the lowerwall 140 to disengage or dislodge from the receiver 134. That is, thelocking pin 148 maintains the lower clamp portion 112 (and thus thespacer 10) the upper clamp portion 110 (and thus the connection to themessenger) together during extreme wind conditions or sudden impact, forexample, a tree falling and contacting the cable.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the upper clamp portion 110 can alsoinclude an additional clamp element 168, for example, side-mounted tothe upper clamp portion 110. The additional clamp element 168 can beused, for example, to secure an additional cable, such as a fiber opticor communication cable. In an embodiment, the additional clamp element168 is positioned on the upper clamp portion 110 so as to not interferewith the bolt 130 for moving the movable jaw 120 or installing, removingor adjusting the locking element 148. It will be appreciated that theclamp 12 can include more than one additional clamp element 168, andthat the additional clamp element(s) 168 can be located at a variety ofpositions on the clamp 12.

To provide increased degrees of freedom of movement of the presentaerial cable spacer insulator 10, the head 152, neck 154 and slottedopening 144 in the receiver lower wall 140 are configured to allow thelower clamp portion 112 to rotate relative to the upper clamp portion110 and to sway in the direction of travel of the cables, perpendicularto the direction of the cables, or in any direction of movement. Inaddition, the spacer 10 can sway or rotate about the fastener 54 thatsecures the spacer 10 to lower clamp portion 112. In this manner, thespacer can sway in the longitudinal direction of the cables and canrotate at an angle to the longitudinal and perpendicular direction ofthe cables, or any angle in between, to relieve any stresses on thecables and the spacer 10 that may be induced in high wind or inadvertentcontact situations. Essentially, the present aerial cable spacerinsulator 10 provides a rigid spacer 10 structure with a support clamp12 having a higher degree of freedom/movement than previously known.

In addition, the solid fiberglass core 94 of the insulator 16 providesstiffness to the spacer 10 structure unlike known spacers. Thisconfiguration reduces the need for a central vertical support (betweenthe angle arms' 14 juncture and the bottom arm 18) to provide the neededstructural support for the spacer 10. In addition to the permittedmovement of the spacer 10 about the messenger clamp 12 and the bottomarm 18 about the insulator 16, the present aerial cable spacer insulator10 also provides a higher degree of freedom/movement in the direction ofthe cables relieving stresses that may be induced due to high windconditions or inadvertent contact situations.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the spacer 210 that can besupported from a messenger by the messenger clamp 12. The spacer 210 isin a diamond shape having an upper pair of angle arms 212 and a lowerpair of arms 214. The upper arms 214 can be formed in the same mannerand from the same materials as the angle arms 14 of the spacer 10 inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and have an I-beam cross-section with a relativelyflat central section 216 flanked by transverse flanges 218. An end ofthe upper arms 212 includes a flat tab 220 having an aperture forreceiving the messenger clamp bolt 54 when the arms 212 are joined toone another at an apex 222. The upper arms 212 include a cable hook 224at an end opposite the flat tab 220 and a connecting tab 226 adjacentthe cable hook 224.

A pair of insulators 228 form the lower arms 214. In embodiments, thelower arms 214 are formed in much the same manner and from the samematerials as the central insulator 16 of the spacer 10 embodiment ofFIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Each lower arm 214 includes a non-conductive core rod(not shown) formed from, for example fiberglass. The ends 230 of thelower arms 214 include clamping members 232, such as devises or U-shapedmembers for mounting to the upper arm connecting tabs 226 at the sidesof the diamond and to each other at the bottom of the diamond. Aninsulative material 234 formed from, for example, a UV stabilizedthermoplastic or thermoset material is positioned over the core rod. Theinsulative material 234 can be formed with fins 236. Alternately, thelower arms 214 can be formed from a material that does not require acore rod. The spacer 210 can be supported from the messenger using themessenger clamp 12 to provide increased degrees of freedom of movementof the spacer 210 to sway in the direction of travel of the cables,perpendicular to the direction of the cables, or in any direction ofmovement.

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the spacer 310, alsoin a diamond shape, and formed as a unitary member that can be supportedfrom a messenger by the messenger clamp 12. The spacer 310 is formedhaving an upper pair of angle arms 312 and a lower pair of angle arms314, all of which can be formed in the same manner and from the samematerials as the angle arms 14 of the spacer 10 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4,having an I-beam cross-section with a relatively flat central section316 flanked by transverse flanges 318. An apex 320 of the spacer 310includes an aperture (not shown), and can include a bushing forreceiving the messenger clamp bolt 54. Cable hooks 322 are formed at thejunctures of the upper and lower arms 312, 314 and at the juncture ofthe lower arms 314. The spacer 10 can be supported from the messengerusing the messenger clamp 12 to provide increased degrees of freedom ofmovement of the 310 spacer to sway in the direction of travel of thecables, perpendicular to the direction of the cables, or in anydirection of movement.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of the spacer 410 that can besupported from a messenger by the messenger clamp 12. The spacer 410includes an arcuate body 412 having opposing downwardly curved arms 414and a clamp hanger 416 at which the spacer 410 is mounted to themessenger clamp 12. The body can be formed from, for example, steel(preferably galvanized or coated). A central insulator hanger 418 isformed opposite the clamp hanger 416, and outboard insulator hangers 420are formed at the ends of the arms 414. The spacer 410 can include aplurality of insulators 422 mounted to and depending from the centraland outboard insulator hangers 418, 420. The insulators 422 can beformed in much the same manner as the central insulator 16 of the spacer10 embodiment of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 and include a non-conductive core rod(not shown) formed from, for example fiberglass. The ends 424 of theinsulators 422 include clamping members 426, such as devises or U-shapedmembers for mounting to the central and outboard insulator hangers 418,420. Cable clamps 428 positioned at the ends of the insulators 422,clamp and support cables. An insulative material 430 formed from, forexample, a UV stabilized thermoplastic or thermoset material ispositioned over the core rod. The insulative material 430 can be formedwith fins 432. Alternately, the insulators 422 can be formed from amaterial that does not require a core rod. As with the priorembodiments, when the spacer 410 is supported from the messenger usingthe messenger clamp 12, it provides increased degrees of freedom ofmovement of the spacer 410 to sway in the direction of travel of thecables, perpendicular to the direction of the cables, or in anydirection of movement.

It will be understood from the present disclosure and a study of thefigures that the various members, such as the angle arms 14, 212, 214,312, 314, bottom arm 18, and the like can be formed in a manner similarto the insulators 16, 418, 420, having a non-conductive support member,such as a fiberglass rod or the like, and a surrounding insulativematerial, and that such configurations are within the scope and spiritof the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken toinclude both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference toplural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. All patentsand published applications referred to herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety, whether or not specifically done so withinthe text of this disclosure.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that anyrelative directional terms such as sides, upper, lower, top, bottom,rearward, forward and the like are, where appropriate, for explanatorypurposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications andvariations can be made without departing from the true spirit and scopeof the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understoodthat no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustratedis intended or should be inferred.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable spacer, comprising: a first angle armhaving a cable engaging end at a first end and a flat tab portion at asecond end, the first end including a connecting tab; a second angle armhaving a cable engaging end at a first end and a flat tab portion at asecond end, the first end including a connecting tab, wherein the firstangle arm flat tab and the second angle arm flat tab each include anaperture to accommodate a connecting element to connect the first andsecond angle arms to each other; an insulator extending between andconnecting the angle arms, the insulator mounting to the first andsecond angle arms at their respective connecting tabs, the insulatorhaving a core formed from a non-conductive material, the first andsecond angle arms and the insulator mounted to each other to define aspacer plane; and a bottom arm mounted to and depending from theinsulator, the bottom arm mounted to the insulator to sway into and outof the spacer plane.
 2. The cable spacer of claim 1, wherein theconnecting tabs extend generally transverse to a longitudinal axis ofits respective angle arm.
 3. The cable spacer of claim 1, includingstrengthen ribs extending along the connecting tabs.
 4. The cable spacerof claim 1 wherein the flat tabs include bushings positioned in theirrespective apertures.
 5. The cable spacer of claim 4, wherein thebushings include bearing faces and wherein the bearing faces face oneanother.
 6. The cable spacer of claim 1, wherein the angle arms, bottomarm and insulator include fins disposed generally therearound.
 7. Thecable spacer of claim 1, further including a messenger clamp mounted tothe angle arms at about the flat tabs.
 8. The cable spacer of claim 7,wherein the messenger clamp includes an upper clamp portion and a lowerclamp portion, the upper clamp portion configured to mounting to amessenger cable and the lower clamp portion configured to mount to thecable spacer angle arms.
 9. The cable spacer of claim 8, wherein thelower clamp portion is rotatable relative to the upper clamp portion.10. The cable spacer of claim 9, wherein the upper clamp portionincludes a receiver and the lower clamp portion has a connecting portionthat cooperates with the receiver, the connection portion beingrotatable within the receiver.
 11. The cable spacer of claim 10, whereinin the receiver includes a pair of opposing side walls, the side wallshaving aligned openings therein for receiving a locking element tosecure the connecting portion in the receiver.
 12. The cable spacer ofclaim 11, wherein the receiver includes a bottom wall having slottedopening extending partially into the bottom wall.
 13. The cable spacerof claim 12, wherein the connecting portion includes a head and a neckand wherein the head is positioned in the receiver and the neck extendsthrough the slotted opening.
 14. The cable spacer of claim 10, whereinin the lower clamp portion includes a clevis having a pair of opposingside walls, the side walls having aligned openings therein for receivinga fastener for securing the lower clamp portion to the angle armbushings.
 15. A messenger clamp for securing a cable spacer to amessenger cable, comprising: an upper clamp portion; and a lower clampportion, wherein the upper clamp portion is configured to mount to amessenger cable and the lower clamp portion is configured to mount tocable spacer angle arms; and wherein the lower clamp portion isrotatable relative to the upper clamp portion.
 16. The messenger clampof claim 15, wherein the upper clamp portion includes a receiver and thelower clamp portion has a connecting portion that cooperates with thereceiver, the connection portion being rotatable within the receiver.17. The messenger clamp of claim 16, wherein in the receiver includes apair of opposing side walls, the side walls having aligned openingstherein for receiving a locking element to secure the connecting portionin the receiver.
 18. The messenger clamp of claim 17, wherein thereceiver includes a bottom wall having slotted opening extendingpartially into the bottom wall.
 19. The messenger clamp of claim 18,wherein the connecting portion includes a head and a neck and whereinthe head is positioned in the receiver and the neck extends through theslotted opening.
 20. The messenger clamp of claim 15, wherein in thelower clamp portion includes a clevis having a pair of opposing sidewalls, the side walls having aligned openings therein for receiving afastener for securing the lower clamp portion to the cable spacer anglearms.
 21. The messenger clamp of claim 15, further including a secondaryclamp element side-mounted to the upper clamp portion.
 22. The messengerclamp of claim 21, wherein the secondary clamp element is positioned onthe upper clamp portion.
 23. The messenger clamp of claim 21, whereinthe secondary clamp element is configured to secure a fiber optic cable.